No one questions the fact that William Shakespeare is a pure genius when it comes to creating immortal characters whose characteristics transcends those of the normal supernatural beings, but most students of literature agree that his uses of the supernatural aren't merely figments of his creative imagination. Every man, woman, and child is influenced by the age into which they are born and Shakespeare was no exception. Not only does his use of supernatural elements within his works reveal the Elizabethans' obsession with mythical beliefs, but it also reveals his attitude toward these beliefs at different points of his writing career. Because of the profound understanding of the beliefs of his time, Shakespeare was able to create masterpieces that critics and readers have respected all over the world.
In Shakespeare's time, the belief in the presence and power of the supernatural touch life at every point. Customs were formed by it and behavior was dictated by it. Not only did the poor believe in it, but all classes of people were under its spell from nobles to the poor. It governed people's lives down to the smallest details. They carried charms and mascots, found horror in spilling salt and walking under ladders, and dreaded the thirteenth of Friday (May 35-38). They believed that all supernatural elements were at work.
The Elizabethans had always been susceptible to belief in the supernatural. As May notes, these people more that other people questioned matters beyond their vision (39). Shakespeare was clearly influenced by his race. He had an inquiring mind that refused bondage by the limitations of matter (Mish 28). Listing the numberless superstitions that Shakespeare gathered from his environment would be impossible. May believes that it is because his own observations of the habits of animals and plants were explained by stories that were more myth that truth. Elizabethans also gave superstitious explanations for changing weather and season, phase of life, and sickness and death (59-63).
Franklin 1 Tiffany Franklin Coach Short EH 9-3 7 October 2002 William Shakespeare No one really knows when William Shakespeare was born. ... John Shakespeare became an alderman in 1565. ... Mary Shakespeare died in 1608 and was buried on September 9. ... Anne Shakespeare was buried on April 4, 1579. ... At eighteen, William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. ...
William Shakespeare On April 26, 1564, John Shakespeare's son, William, was baptized at the Stratford Parish Church. ... Shakespeare's formal William Shakespeare was born in the year of 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. ... John Shakespeare was a tanner, and a glove maker. ... John Shakespeare was a tanner, and a glove maker. ... John Shakespeare was a tanner, and a glove maker. ...
On April 26, 1564 in the prosperous English town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the first son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden was baptized and christened William Shakespeare. ... Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. ... By 1592 Shakespeare had become involved with the theatre in London. ... The first of Shakespeare's plays was performed later that year. ... Shakespeare's own life came to an end on April 23, 1616. ...
*Shakespeare's biography* Shakespeare was born, to all appearance, on April 1564. ... John Shakespeare was a son of Richard Shakespeare, a rich and respected farmer. ... Shakespeare got married as a very young man. ... *The Age of Shakespeare* Mysterious William Shakespeare, whose writings are very valuable for England, was one of the greatest English poets. ... Shakespeare started his acting career in "The Theatre". ...
Shakespeare communicates this using a variety of dramatic techniques and I will also be outlining these in this essay. ... The setting which Shakespeare starts the play is dark, desolate and "bitter cold". ... It was Shakespeare's aim to communicate the inner conflict within Hamlet in this act and therefore, establish empathy between the audience and the character of Hamlet....
Well when I hear this quote, I think of Shakespeare. ... Shakespeare's share in the acting company made him wealthy. With the opening if the splendid Globe Theatre in 1599, Shakespeare's fortunes increased. Shakespeare wrote nearly all of his plays from 1590 to 1611. ... Shakespeare's wife. ...
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon, England. ... The third of eight children to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, William was there eldest son. ... Tragically Hamnet, Shakespeares only son died two months later due to natural causes. ... Shakespeare was fortunate to get them both as teachers. ... Shakespeare's plays soon became known by everyone in London. ...
Shakespeare's was a family of eight children. William Shakespeare's parents, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden raised their children in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon. ... John Shakespeare was very respected and held several important positions in local government William, who had four brothers and two sisters, was the third child of John and Mary Shakespeare. ... In August 1596 Shakespeare's life was disturbed by family tragedy. ... In conclusion, William Shakespeare is a famous figure in literature. ...
